the simple things

August 24-25 were scheduled national protests here in Chile. Therefore, the exchange students at Católica were released from classes yesterday and today just to be safe. The unions have joined in supporting the student protests, so there was some worry that some of the public transportation wouldn't be up and running today and yesterday. Therefore, we didn't have classes, and that is why I am sitting at home and have time to blog.
There have been protests in Santigo, I believe. Valparaíso has been peaceful and without any protests. And, buses and collectivos (taxis that you can cram 4 people in to make the rates cheaper) were all up and running as usual yesterday. The media really exaggerates things and of course always shows the worst of everything. If you don't attend the protests, then you are safe.
However, this whole situation really needs prayer. Please, pray for the hearts of the students of Chile. I think what really hurts me to see is their anger, the mob mentality. Also, no government is perfect and it can't give us everything, so I pray that the students will see rationally and work with the Chilean government.

Yesterday, I woke up to the sound of a good heavy rain outside my window. It's not like I had class, so I just enjoyed listening to it with my eyes closed under my covers for a while. I wish the circumstances were better for having a day off of school, but I still welcomed it. On Tuesdays, I have class from 8:30-5:00 with 45 minutes for lunch, so on this particular rainy Wednesday, I was glad to just rest for a little while.
My first class on Tuesdays is at 8:30, and so I usually start walking down my hill at about 7:45 to catch the metro. But, since the time changed, it's still dark in the morning when I wake up. I get to see the sunrise on my way to class...

After classes, Sara and Desiree and I met with a friend of Desiree's host mom, Felipe, who is a hiking guide. Delia (Desiree's host mom) is awesome. She knew we wanted to hike La Campana mountain, which is not far from here, so she hooked us up with Felipe to be our guide. The plan is to go soon, but it depends on the weather. So, a definite date is not set. But, in Chile, when are dates ever definite? haha

After leaving for classes in the dark, I got home after dark, and was looking forward to once with my family. I have gotten to where I really look forward to that time with them, and I am sad when I miss it. I love sitting at the table drinking tea with them and sharing once with them.

Yesterday was really chill. I feel like I've been so busy that it was nice to just relax for a little. Also, I feel like I've been around people so much that it was good to have time with my own thoughts. In the afternoon, I finally made it out of the house and went to pick up some things I've been needing. My literature professor assigned a novella to us, so I decided to go stop by some of the bookshops in the plaza to see if I could find it. I bought a café vainilla on my way down the hill and then found myself in this tiny little secondhand bookshop.

Books were everywhere without any real rhyme or reason. I kind of forgot what I was looking for and sat on the floor under the "Poesia" section. I hate to admit it, but I'm not ambitious enough to read Spanish poetry. But, I found some Walt Whitman books in English and enjoyed sitting there reading, not having anywhere to be.

Later, I did find the novella that I was looking for, and then I met up with Sara and Desiree. We went to another student's house here in Valpo. His name is Mathias, and he's from Germany. He lives with a Chilean, another German and girl from Spain. We drank tea and played card games until after midnight and just had fun chilling out. It's the simple things that are so sweet. And, spending time with people, laughing, that's what makes it so fun.


Well, chao for now. Abrazos y besos!